Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) CANADA

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This subject of digital as in DMR is an Exploding system compared to anything in HAM Radio, bar none, and has been for many years as a dynamic mode that is often changing. A mode that is challenging the HAM radio community's user base as it evolves. This compared to the stagnant water of any "anything" or mode in Amateur HAM Radio.

A network from it's inception that offered a single manufacture and commercial (M0torola public service) grade devices is now offering numerous hardware manufactures, important to note that no other HAM Radio mode offers as many hardware devices to select from when purchasing. The on "fire" prices are beneficial to the consumer as value for money and the wise understand this when choosing from one of many digital modes, as found in the many affordable devices that are offered in Digital Mobile Radio DMR market. The cost of DMR device almost comparing and rival inferior FM analog transceivers.

Benefits include: device firmware exploits from known operators like Travis to Ty many new features, for the benefits of the end user or ham radio operator. With dismal advances in any other aspect of the radio hobby this is welcome change and may stimulate old bones in other areas of the hobby HAM radio.

To the surprise and joy of many in the DMR community the introduction of Hotspots and its popularity continue to evolve and explode the digital user base, with the ability to shift users moving to self empowered devices and also have the option to use the many repeaters as backup if available for communication tools.

As previously announced at the Dayton Hamvention, Radio Amateurs
of Canada has secured permission for all Canadian Radio Amateurs to use
special call sign prefixes to celebrate the 150th anniversary of
Canada's Confederation.
National, regional and local events will take place throughout 2017
to celebrate the anniversary and Canadian Amateurs will let their
counterparts around the world know of our celebration by using the
following special prefixes:

Amateurs and clubs whose regular call signs start with VA will be able to use the CF prefix instead of VA (for example, VA3RAC will be authorized to use the CF3RAC call sign).

Amateurs and clubs whose regular call signs start with VE will be able to use the CG prefix instead of VE (e.g., VE4RAC will be authorized to use CG4RAC).

Amateurs and clubs whose regular call signs start with VO will be able to use the CH prefix instead of VO (e.g., VO1RAC will be authorized to use CH1RAC).

Amateurs and clubs whose regular call signs start with VY will be able to use the CI prefix instead of VY (e.g., VY2RAC will be authorized to use CI2RAC).

These special prefixes are optional and Amateurs can choose if and
when to use the special prefix vs their normal prefix at any time during
the year. Stay tuned to the RAC website for additional information
For more information on Canada150 visit http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1342792785740

BrandMaster/BrandMeister is an operating software for master servers
participating in a worldwide infrastructure network of amateur radio
digital voice systems.

Brandmeister/Brandmaster - Brandmeister is German and Brandmaster is English.

Reflector vs Talkgroups

One
of the big things I hear on Brandmeister is … What are the talkgroups?
Well here they are. One thing you have to remember is reflectors and
talkgroups are two different things.

Reflectors range from 4000-4999 and are a link to a talkgroup.
If you are on a DMR repeater and on timeslot 2 talkgroup 9 you can
access a reflector as a private call to that reflector. Do a private
call to that number, key up for a few seconds and then unkey. You will
get a british female voice come back to you letting you know the number
you are connected to.

Doing a private call to 5000 will tell you what you are connected to, and a manual dial to 4000 will disconnect you.

Mobile Radio (No Keypad) BrandMeister ::
Using Un-programmed Codeplug - To make things easy, just program your radio for the "talkgroups".
For
example
1. reflector 4639 and talkgroup 3100 are the same thing.
2. Create a Private Call and Talkgroup each for the REF4639/talkgroup.
3. Just
program your radio for TimeSlot 2 talkgroup 3100 and you are there. No
manual dial needed.
4. When you are finished with your conversation, you can either disconnect
using a created Contact and group “REF4000” keyup or the reflector will timeout after five
(5) minutes of inactivity.

Handheld Keypad BrandMeister ::
Using Preprogrammed Codeplug
1. Dial your radio to the “VE3YYZ Local” channel.
2. Select the reflector name (e.g. REF4326) from the Contacts list in your radio.
3.
With the reflector name highlighted, key your PTT. This will initiate a
Private Call to that reflector and establishing your connection.
4. Exit from the Contacts menu in your radio. You can now make your call on that reflector using the VE3YYZ Local channel.
5.
When you are finished with your conversation, you can either disconnect
using the Contact “REF4000” or the reflector will timeout after five
(5) minutes of inactivity.

Yes, it was certainly news, but it wasn't just about the radio itself. What made this newsworthy was the fact it was the first DMR from Wouxun, and it was an announcement of their plan to enter the digital radio market. Now their entrance is official. The Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Digital Two Way Radio has arrived!

Since we've told you about the radio already, we won't repeat it all here. The info and specs on the Wouxun KG-D901 are available at Buy Two Way Radios, and now, so is the radio!

There is just one thing to note. At the time of this publication, the Wouxun KG-D901 is currently available in a very limited quantity, so if you want to be one of the first to have it, you may want to get it now.

The Ontario Science Centre Amateur Radio Station,
which operates under the call sign VE3OSC, made it’s first contact using
Digital Mobile Radio, commonly known as DMR. Jean Moffett, VE3WAD, who
is a long time volunteer operator at the VE3OSC station.